Reclaim your Kindness

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• By Rev. Devadosan Sugirtharaj
• Posted 07/26/2020
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Sermon Series: Fruit of the Spirit

Reclaim Your Kindness

Ephesians.4:29-32

Introduction

• Kindness is one of the great attribute people like to receive it. However they don’t really see the benefit of being kind.
• In the New Testament, one of the signs of growing in faith is to show brotherly kindness with one another. 2 Peter.1:7: 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
• When Apostle Paul emphasizes that the character of new man in Christ, he put kindness as the part of the list: Colossians 3: 12-13.Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
• God’s mercy is eternal to us. Ephesians.2:7: 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Word Study

• Hebrew word: Chesed means loyal love manifested in actions. In the Old Testament, it is used for God’s Kindness and Human kindness. God’s kindness is understood as part of God’s covenant with us. Human kindness is understood as part of mercy shown to others.
• Greek word: Chrestotes means gracious actions. In the New Testament, it is used of God’s kindness is understood as Christ’s gracious action towards us. Human kindness is understood as brotherly kindness to show help to others prompted by God’s redemptive love.

Context of the text

• When apostle Paul talks about the seriousness of grieving the Holy Spirit through our words and actions, he emphasizes that we must avoid all bad attitudes and show godly character like kindness to bring joy to the Holy Spirit as the seal of God’s redemption to us.

1. Being Kind in our words is an aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and also it brings joy to the Holy Spirit.
   • Ephesians.4:29: 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [a]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
   • Our words must be necessary, good and also impart grace to the hearers.
   • Kindness in words means to speaking encouraging words to build others. We are to speak in   beneficial ways about meaningful things and also to speak in ways appropriate to the situation we are in. Let us show mindfulness in words to show kindness.
   • We are accountable to God for the words we use. Matthew 12:35-37: 35 A good man out of the good treasure [g]of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
   • We are called to show kindness in words as part of our call as Christians. 2 Timothy 2:24-26: 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
   • Biblical Example: Acts.15:31-33:Judas and Silas encouraged and strengthened the believers in Antioch through their words. Acts.15:32:32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
   • Sermon Illustration: In his excellent book, Recapturing the Wonder: Transcendent Faith in a Disenchanted World, Mike Cosper shares a short vignette about the comedian Louis C.K.Louis CK tells fans he meets in public that he won’t take a picture with them, but he will talk to them. Some people are satisfied, but many walk away angry and frustrated. I suspect that it’s because they weren’t after the opportunity to meet Louis—they wanted to be able to show people they met Louis.

2. Being Kind in our actions is an aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and also it brings joy to the Holy Spirit.

• Ephesians.4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [i]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
• We need to get rid of bitterness (attitude of resentment), wrath ( attitude of revenge), anger (attitude of frustration), clamor (attitude of gossip) and evil speaking ( attitude of character damage).
• We are called to show kindness to one another as Christ does to us and also with compassion and forgiveness. 1 Cor.13:4
• Kindness through compassion and forgiveness is the way we overcome the devil’s plans against us. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11: 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For [a]if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
• Biblical example: Joseph in the Old Testament: 50:19-21: 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke [d]kindly to them.
• Sermon Illustration: Steve Sjogren wrote a book called Conspiracy of Kindness. He started a church in Cincinnati, Ohio, that has grown rapidly to an average attendance of 7,500 in just fifteen years. Their motto is, ‘Small things done with great love are changing the world’. They carry out random acts of kindness like paying for a stranger’s coffee, or writing a ‘thank you’ note to a shop assistant. They have discovered the power and impact of ‘showing God’s love in practical ways’ People from outside were attracted because of what they saw happening on the inside. They were attracted by the sheer undiluted power of God released through ‘acts of kindness’.

Conclusion

• Kindness is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. It comes from God to us and flows through us to others. The Holy Spirit enables us to grow in this kindness every day through our words and actions so that the people may praise our God in heaven. It also brings joy to the Holy Spirit and we will be rewarded by the Lord in his Kingdom. So,
  •  Be kind in our words
  • Be kind in our actions

Questions for reflection and discussion

1. God is kind to us. What are the ways you experience God’s kindness in your life? Please give some examples.
2. Our words should be full salt and grace. Colossians.4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. How does your speech or conversation strengthen or build others? please give some examples.
3. We are called to show kindness to others as Chris does. How do you show your kindness to others? Please give some examples.